Real stories

People affected by dementia try out festive gift ideas

New Ones on the Block is a monthly group for people with young-onset dementia in Ferring, on the south coast of England. As a Dementia Voice local group, they influence the work of Alzheimer’s Society and others.

At a session that included partners and visitors, we asked the group for feedback about a range of gift ideas from Alzheimer's Society's shop.

OuiSi game

The OuiSi game (pronounced ‘we-see’) is a box of over 200 square cards, each with a different striking photographic image on one side.

There are many ways to play with them, described in the included guidebook. These range from matching similar patterns or shapes and linking ideas about what’s pictured on cards, to placing a card on paper and creating a drawing that extends the image.

Sue liked that there are lots of ways to play and engage with the cards, and that you don’t feel pressure as there’s no right or wrong answer.

‘It’s good, I would play with them,’ she said. ‘People at different stages of dementia could join in.’

Angela said the various games would be good for the group she runs, which includes people with no speech and other verbal issues.

Cheryl, who used to work in a nursery, said: ‘I liked looking at the pictures on the cards. The games would work with children too.’

Cognitive Books

There are now three Cognitive Books – Looking Back at... Classic Coronation Street, The Beatles and The 1966 World Cup.

The books use colourful illustrations and rhyming descriptions to prompt reminiscence, whether viewed individually or as part of a story.

They contain quizzes and activities at the back and come with free audio versions.

Simon enjoyed hearing the audio for the Beatles book – read by Bill Nighy – while looking through it.

‘I would like to listen to all of that,’ he said, ‘and probably sing along to it!

I don’t read books, I get distracted too easily. But the audio meant I was able to follow and turn the pages.

Looking at the World Cup book, Tracy noted that Pete might struggle to read through it on his own, but that they could read it together.

‘I liked that it had other events that happened in the same year,’ she added.

Reg loved the 1966 theme.

‘I remembered watching it, but only the final,’ he said. ‘So, it was interesting to see the quarter- and semi-finals in the book.’

Lizzie was impressed by the Coronation Street book and thought the access to audio versions made the price reasonable.

‘The illustrations really look like the characters,’ she said, ‘and I really like the quizzes and other elements.’

Pete, a model railway enthusiast whose grandfather worked on the railways, thought a good subject for the next Cognitive Book would be trains.

‘Loads of people like trains,’ he said.

Advent Activity

The Advent Activity is a beautifully crafted wooden circle covered in festive designs. Its large, numbered segments reveal pictures featuring the 12 Days of Christmas.

Helena and David joined Sue and Angela in turning over each segment and trying to recall which bit of the song it was about.

This produced a lot of fun – and discussion about what French hens look like!

They agreed it was well made, and thought people could sing along while going around the pieces.

‘My mother’s in her 90s,’ said David, ‘and she would love it.’

Sue noted, ‘It would be useful to have the words of the song.’

Reg added, ‘Actually, it would be good with the audio of the song.’

After sharing these ideas with the manufacturer, they responded by adding the full words to the song along with a link to a recording you can sing along to.

Mug, tray and biscuits

The last time we showed a panel Rosa two-handled mugs and trays, they liked the idea of creating versions with forget-me-nots on. This is the new pattern we took to Ferring.

The small melamine tray has a holder to keep the mug in place, and they can be bought separately or as a set. Drinking lids are also available, one with a spout and another with a discreet hole for sipping or a straw.

Cheryl liked the tray and mug, successfully testing it out with her cuppa and a biscuit.

Pete and Tracy also thought they could be useful.

‘You could have the tray on your lap with your brew,’ said Tracy. ‘The two-handled mug would be good for his dad as well, as his hands are shaky.’

Group members noted that previous attendees with a hand tremor would also find the mug especially useful.

Reg thought the price was on the expensive side, though David asked, ‘But what’s the comparison? It’s better quality than something you could get online.’

The group also enjoyed two packs of biscuits specially designed to be dipped into hot drinks – Christmas tea dunkers and apple and blackcurrant crumble coffee dunkers.

Two other delicious flavours are also available –lemon curd tea dunkers and Spiced Christmas coffee dunkers.